Thinking-Rich.com

Most of us have read Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”, (if you haven’t you really should). It forms the basis of thinking rich and reminds us that our thoughts are the absolute key to manifesting wealth.

But simply reading the book is not enough. We have to really dig deep into our current thoughts to make sure they aren’t holding us back - and if they are, we need to learn how to change that within ourselves. Hill’s “Self Analysis Test Questions” are one of the best ways to examine the thoughts and outside influences that are damaging our ability to manifest money.

As you read these questions you’ll notice that most have the follow-up question “If so, why?” or “If not, why?” Dig deep to answer these follow-up questions because they will usually show you exactly what you need to do to overcome the limitations and obstacles that are confronting you. In Hill’s words,

To aid those who wish to see themselves as they really are, the following list of questions has been prepared. Read the questions and state your answers aloud, so you can hear your own voice. This will make it easier for you to be truthful with yourself.

1. Do you complain often of “feeling bad,” and if so, what is the cause?

2. Do you find fault with other people at the slightest provocation?

3. Do you frequently make mistakes in your work, and if so, why?

4. Are you sarcastic and offensive in your conversation?

5. Do you deliberately avoid the association of anyone, and if so, why?

6. Do you suffer frequently with indigestion? If so, what is the cause?

7. Does life seem futile and the future hopeless to you? If so, why?

8. Do you like your occupation? If not, why?

9. Do you often feel self-pity, and if so why?

10. Are you envious of those who excel you?

11. To which do you devote most time, thinking of SUCCESS, or of FAILURE?

12. Are you gaining or losing self-confidence as you grow older?

13. Do you learn something of value from all mistakes?

14. Are you permitting some relative or acquaintance to worry you? If so, why?

15. Are you sometimes “in the clouds” and at other times in the depths of despondency?

16. Who has the most inspiring influence upon you? What is the cause?

17. Do you tolerate negative or discouraging influences which you can avoid?

18. Are you careless of your personal appearance? If so, when and why?

19. Have you learned how to “drown your troubles” by being too busy to be annoyed by them?

20. Would you call yourself a “spineless weakling” if you permitted others to do your thinking for you?

If you take the time to seriously address these questions you’ll be well on your way to developing the money mindset you need for thinking rich.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that times are tough right now. Makes thinking rich a lot harder to do, doesn’t it?

It also makes it hard to think about luxury, when so many people are just hoping they can ride out this year with their jobs and homes intact. It may be difficult for them to see past the current crisis.

I’ve never been one to believe that being rich means having a huge disposable income. To me, wealth is more of a state of mind. That’s why I’ve never advocated scrimping in good times or bad. Saving is good thing to do, because it suggests plenty. It leaves you with a feeling of abundance, whereas scrimping seems cold and nasty, like pinching out the wick of a candle that could have given you warmth and comfort just to save the wax.

The thing with the American economy is, it’s always been brought back to strength by the actions of the American people. It’s the consumers who hold up the heavy weight of the economy and it’s small businesses and entrepreneurs with their original thoughts and streamlined plans of action that make America what it is.

So how do we continue to surround ourselves with the feeling of luxury without putting ourselves in even more financial jeopardy? It’s really not that hard, if we can modify the things that bring us comfort and the feeling of abundance, and yes, even luxury.

Simply put, bad economic times are no reason to stop thinking rich.

Whatever you do, whether you’re at top of the ladder of success or closer to the bottom rungs, you must not give up on your dreams of wealth and your habits of recognizing abundance, welcoming opportunities, thinking positive thoughts about money, and expressing your gratitude every chance you get. Your finances might not the best at this time, but if you can hold onto your millionaire mindset you can hit the ground running when this crisis breaks.

And it will break. Hold onto that truth.

While some of us might have to watch our money a little more closely, this is not a time to give up on the abundance that is around all of us and belongs to all of us.

Money will continue to flow back and forth, into and out of our lives and back into them again. This is the nature of money. Money has no value until we trade it for what we need.

Being truly rich is surrounding yourself with the beautiful things in life - the things that make you feel wealthy even if you’re not rich in the common sense of the word. This luxury that we’ve allowed ourselves in the good times doesn’t have to disappear completely in the bad. We only have to make a few adjustments.

For instance, if you’re a Starbucks or Seattle’s Best junkie, consider hooking up with a French Press and Gevalia coffee - less than a week of Corporate Coffee money can get you a month or more of some exciting blends you may find you like even better.

Don’t want to give up on having dinner out at least once a week? Look for coupons for popular restaurants that cut the bill in half or more.

There are many things you can do to keep the luxury in your life without compounding any financial jitters you may be facing. Whatever you do, don’t make money feel like a stranger in your house. Don’t close the door on abundance. Don’t give in to a scarcity mindset.

And don’t forget that some of the most comforting things in life are also free.

Never give into fear. Find luxury in your life, within your means. And keep thinking rich.

-$-

How are you doing on your goals of creating wealth? Are you making your plans and staying with them? Are you doing all you can to improve your chances of manifesting money?

If your answer is no, then it’s time for you to assess what it is that’s holding you back. One thing I see a lot of - and something I’m guilty of at times, too - is the lack of persistence. Are you stopping yourself on the path to money and success because you just can’t stick to your goals?

Napoleon Hill wrote about some of the weaknesses that tend to prevent people from being persistent in their goals. Let’s take a look at what Hill said are some signs of this self-defeating behavior.

1. Failure to recognize and to clearly define exactly what one wants.
2. Procrastination, with or without cause. (Usually backed up with a formidable array of alibis and excuses).
3. Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge.
4. Indecision, the habit of “passing the buck” on all occasions, instead of facing issues squarely. (Also backed by alibis).
5. The habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems.
6. Self-satisfaction. There is but little remedy for this affliction, and no hope for those who suffer from it.
7. Indifference, usually reflected in one’s readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather than meet opposition and fight it.
8. The habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes, and accepting unfavorable circumstances as being unavoidable.
9. Weakness of desire, due to neglect in the choice of motives that impel action.
10. Willingness, even eagerness, to quit at the first sign of defeat.
11. Lack of organized plans, placed in writing where they may be analyzed.
12. The habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or to grasp opportunity when it presents itself.
13. Wishing instead of willing.
14. The habit of compromising with poverty instead of aiming at riches. General absence of ambition to be, to do, and to own.
15. Searching for all the short-cuts to riches, trying to get without giving a fair equivalent, usually reflected in the habit of gambling, endeavoring to drive “sharp” bargains.
16. Fear of criticism, failure to create plans and to put them into action, because of what other people will think, do, or say. this enemy belongs at the head of the list, because it generally exists in one’s subconscious mind, where its presence is not recognized.

Number 15 is a biggie - one we see all the time especially where making money online is concerned. We’re constantly bombarded by get-rich-quick schemes in our email and at almost every website we visit. Maybe you can get rich quick by being one of the sleazy salesmen of these offers, but you’d be doing it at the expense of the people you sell to.

Maybe I’m out of touch, but I don’t want riches if it comes at the expense of people who are so desperate to escape their poverty that they spend the little money they have on products that do nothing more than take their money and run.

Anyway, take a good look at these pitfalls to persistence and see if you can step out of these patterns to begin thinking rich and becoming rich.

-$-